The cases of dacoities were increasing day by day in Jhansi. Mostly people believe Sagar Singh to be the person behind these dacoities; hence they had already filed a report against Sagar Singh with British administration.
Within few days, the administration arrested Sagar Singh. He was put behind the bars. Bakshish Ali was the incharge of the jail in which Sagar Singh was locked. Previously Bakshish Ali was the chief officer of the gates of Jhansi during the reign of Gangadhar Rao. One day a junior officer of the British Government went to see Sagar Singh in jail. Bakshish Ali gave them warm welcome but Sagar Singh talked to the officers very awfully.
“Sagar Singh, tell us the name of every member of your gang?” One of the officer asked Sagar Singh.
Sagar Singh was fluttering of hunger. Hence he spoke politely—“My brain in not working due to hunger. If you will give me ample food, then by tomorrow I will tell the names of all my gang members.”
The officers agreed to his demand. They ordered to make him free from handcuffs and iron fetters of legs and also ordered that he should be given food under strict observation.
Bakshish Ali had listened to the officers orders, but had shown some extra softness for Sagar Singh. He gave the best food to Sagar Singh, but in night getting an opportunity Sagar Singh fled away from jail. This really created problem for Bakshish Ali. When the news of Sagar Singh’s escape reached to the British officers, they started humiliating and beating Bakshish Ali with shoes. This insult has been faced by Bakshish Ali with great difficulty. Later this news spread throughout the country.
Rani Laxmibai also come to know about the incident. In those days Motibai used to come to her palace to recite Bhajans. Although she was a Muslim, but she had a great devotion towards Rani. A lady named Juhi also accompanied her to Rani’s palace. Juhi was also Muslim and a true follower of Rani.
Colonel Jamma Khan’s house was close to Juhi’s house. They both were neighbours. Jamma Khan was at one time, officer in Gangadhar Rao’s army. It was his house in which now-a-days Tatya used to live. Hence, the meeting of Juhi and Tatya was but natural. Both of them had also met in Rani’s palace once or twice. Rani and Tatya had asked her to continue her transmigration on the residential areas of Indian soldiers. Hence Juhi regularly visited their residential areas. On seeing her the British officers thought that she came here only to recite Bhajans to Indian soldiers whereas she used to come here with the political motive to know from them regarding the latest development of the British Government’s policies.
On getting opportunity, she also used to give them an impetus to jump into the war of independence. Juhi and Motibai were very cleverly doing their spying job for Rani. Even Nawab Ali Bahadur was not knowing of their job. He thought that they only come here to recite Bhajans.
He wanted to know about the person visiting the palace of Laxmibai and their conversation with Rani. For this he tried to establish contact with Motiabi. He sent his trusted worker Pir Ali to meet her.
“Baiji!” Pir Ali said by luring her—“You regularly go to recite Bhajans to Rani Sahiba. You should also occasionally recite some ghazals for our Nawab Saheb. He had great liking for music. Once you will meet him, you will look it yourself how good he is in hospitality.”
“Till now my life passed on in restrictions, but now slowly I’m trying to live in an open environment. If that’s your wish, then I will surely come to recite ghazals for Nawab Saheb.” Motibai said in great excitement.
By luring her one day Pir Ali took her to Nawab’s house. Motibai was feeling very shy standing in front of Nawab. Nawab honoured her very much. Then by falsely praising her he said—“You are extremely unparalleled in your art Baiji—You please don’t feel shy and feel at home.”
“Feeling shy is my old habit Nawab Saheb! But I really respect your sentiments because you are our patron.”
Nawab was really delighted to hear this. Motibai suddenly started singing a Rag. She continued her vocal for one hour without any instruments.
“Which type of songs did Rani listen from you,” Nawab asked Motibai.
“Rani used to listen Bhajans of Mirabai.” Motibai replied.
“Rani’s heart is very noble,” Nawab said—“She also gives grant very much.”
“Sorry for interfering Nawab Saheb! Indeed different types of people come to meet Rani, but I had not seen her giving grant to anybody,” Motibai said rudely.
“Now Rani even started living openly. Why does she likes so much to wander on hills and forests?” Nawab said while laughing.
“Rani had taught me horse riding while taking me to forests.”
“I had heard that she is giving training to women on how to use arms and ammunition. Did you also learnt to use arms.”
“I am still learning.”
“But why? What in the use of all this? And above all how did you manage your time from your domestic work for this training?”
“Using arms is my hobby. That’s why I’m taking training. To talk about time, so I easily get the time because I didn’t have to work so much like other women.”
“You are great Baiji. Your health keeps on improving day by day after learning horse-riding. I’m telling the truth. Now a unique type of attraction is seen on your face.” Nawab said while praising her.
“Nawab Saheb! Why are you unnecessarily praising me,” Motibai said slowly.
“I’m not praising but it’s the fact Motibai.”
“What Nawab Saheb! You also…”. Motibai smiled.
“Which are the persons who had come to meet Rani till now,” Nawab asked while smiling.
“Many had come. Among them Tatya Tope and Deewan Jawahar Singh are the prominent. I don’t know the names of rest of them. If you order, I will note down the names of each and every person.”
“Sure Motibai! You don’t worry about the money. We are not outsiders. Whenever you need, please remember us. Please let us know about the names of every person who comes to meet Rani.”
“As you wish Nawab Saheb.”
“Now-a-days what type of talks are going on there? Did you know?”
“Nawab Saheb! Rani wanted to perform the sacred thread ceremony of Damodar Rao. This is the main subject on which they are talking about.”
“Anything else going on there?”
“The older people are being called upon, So that Damodar’s sacred thread ceremony can be performed with pomp and gaiety.”
“Now where will you go?”
“I will go to recite some Bhajans to Rani.”
After sometime she reached Rani’s palace. She recited one step of the Bhajan to Rani. Thereafter she started talking.
“Rani Sahiba! I had found one more person who is spying against you,” Motibai said.
“Who is that spy?” Rani asked.
“That spy is—Nawab Ali Bahadur.”
“I had doubt on him from quite sometime back. What did that spy talked about?”
On Rani’s orders, she told everything to Rani.
“Now like this you also have to test Khudabaksh,” after listening everything Rani told while smiling.
“As you order.
“How is Juhi working now-a-days?”
“Juhi is very expert in knowing anybody’s secret Rani Sahiba. She is doing her work of collecting secret information very cleverly.”
After saying this Motibai left that place. When Rani goes out for horse-riding in an manly outfit, at that time she also used to wear an iron helmet on her head. She tied turban above the helmet. Swords and pistols can be seen on her both sides. Occasionally she rides on horse with spears on both hands. Despite of all this she make her horse ran very fast. Her entangled hair create difficulty in wearing helmet. Hence Rani got an idea to have ‘Mundan’ in Varanasi, but she came to know that without Deputy Commissioner’s permission, she cannot travel to Varanasi.
She sent a proposal for permission to the commissioner, but her proposal was rejected.
The reason was that, commissioner was irritated from Rani. The commissioner’s decision gave a big blow to many people. Then Rani took a vow that she will not perform her mundan ceremony till India became independent. When her friends heard about the vow, they were delighted.
Slowly the time was passing on and on. Rani continued making plans. Rani easily got every news about her enemies. Rani’s spy continued on keeping close touch on the working of the British Government.
On scheduled time, Rani decided to perform the sacred thread ceremony of Damodar Rao and orders were given to invite the reputed persons of the town. Total estimated expenses of the ceremony was amounting to Rupees one lakh. Rani didn’t have to much money, but the ceremony was necessary. At that time Rani got the news that dissatisfaction spread among British army comprising Indian soldiers.
Rupees ten lakhs had been deposited in government treasury in the name of Damodar. To issue one lakh from the amount deposited, Rani gave a petition from her side.
On replying to Rani’s petition, the government officers said that she can take money only when four reputed person of the town give guarantee from your son’s side because Damodar is still minor. On this many reputed persons of Jhansi were ready to give their guarantee. Hence only after their guarantee, Rani got one lakh rupees from government treasury. On appropriate time Damodar’s sacred thread ceremony was performed.
Nawab Ali Bahadur was also present on this occasion. Apart from him, the people of Jhansi also participated with great enthusiasm in this ceremony. After this function Khudabaksh, Jawahar Singh, Raghunath Singh, Tatya Tope and Nana had organised a meeting. Rani’s friends were also present near the meeting place. Making Domadar’s sacred thread ceremony a small sacrificial ceremony, Rani said—“With the cooperation of all of you, a small sacrificial ceremony had been successfully completed but to complete the big sacrificial ceremony successfully is still left.”
“Required material and experienced ‘Pandits’ for the big sacrificial ceremony had been manage. Apart from this best horses are also ready to carry the material of the ceremony.” Nana told while looking towards Rani.
“If you order, may I explain you clearly in simple form.” Tatya asked Rani.
“Oh! Yes, please do not hesitate. Here all are our trusted ones. There is also strict patrol of women outside. Nobody will come between us.” Rani Said.
“Rani Sahiba!” Tatya said—“The suet cartridge to be used by the Britishers are now almost out of use, but the hatred between the Hindus and Muslim brothers had not been lessened.”
“No Tatya ji” Khudabaksh said—“The Britishers had not yet stopped the use of suet cartridge. This is the reason that the Muslim soldiers had developed great irritation. It seems that, now the government will soon start its proceedings.”
“We start the proceedings from Bundelkhand,” Raghunath Singh said.
“Not now Raghunath Singh.” Rani said while lifting her right hand’s first finger—“Still our army had not been fully organised. After the organisation, we will start our work on a definite time with full planning.”
In the meeting, discussions were also made on the future policies. After that the meeting was adjourned.
